Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
Funding under this program supports competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined under section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)), or consortia of IHEs, to create or expand high-quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Under section 767(d)(6) of the HEA all grant recipients must partner with one or more local educational agencies (LEAs) to support students with intellectual disabilities who are still eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Funds from this program also support a national Coordinating Center (Coordinating Center), which develops evaluation standards for TPSID grantees and provides technical assistance, information, and opportunities for communication among institutions with postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. The Center assists in supporting continuous improvement activities for the model transition programs. The Coordinating Center will:
(A) provide a research and evaluation protocol for TPSID programs;
(B) administer a mentoring program matching current and new TPSID grantees based on areas of expertise;
(C) coordinate longitudinal follow-up data collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on programmatic components and evidence-based practices;
(D) make recommendations related to the development of standards for such programs;
(E) provide technical assistance and evaluations for such programs.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State governments
- Public nonprofits
- Private nonprofits
Institutions of higher education (IHEs) (as defined under section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended) and consortia of IHEs are eligible to receive grants under the TPSID program. All grant recipients must partner with one or more local educational agencies to support students with intellectual disabilities who are still eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Proprietary schools (for-profit entities) are not eligible to apply for a grant under this program.
Beneficiaries
- 47
- 68
Grant funds establish model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities at institutions of higher education. Funds also support a Coordinating Center that: provides technical assistance for all comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities; conducts and disseminates research to the public on strategies to promote academic, social, employment, and independent living outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities; and builds capacity of Kindergarten through Grade 12 transition services and supports of local and State education agencies.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Applications must be prepared and submitted according to requirements outlined in the notice inviting applications, as published in the Federal Register. Each IHE or consortia of IHEs must submit an application covering a 5-year period to the Department of Education.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed for quality and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and are scored by peer reviewers based on criteria included in the application package. The Department determines which applications will be funded based on the quality of the applications as determined through peer review and consider the following factors: 1) providing for an equitable geographic distribution of grants, 2) providing grant funds for model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities that will serve areas that are underserved by programs of this type, and 3) giving preference to applicants that form a partnership with any relevant agency serving students with intellectual disabilities such as a vocational rehabilitation agency, integrate students with intellectual disabilities into housing offered to nondisabled students, or involve students attending the IHE who are studying special education, general education, vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology, or related fields in the model program. The Department also considers the past performance of an applicant in carrying out a previous award.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 60 to 90 days
Application deadlines are identified in the notice inviting applications, published in the Federal Register.
The estimated range of time need to approve/disapprove an application is usually within 3 months of the submission deadline.
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
An institution of higher education (IHE) shall use grant funds to establish a model comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities that 1) serves students with intellectual disabilities, 2) provides individual supports and services for the academic and social inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in academic courses, extracurricular activities, and other aspects of the IHE’s regular postsecondary program, 3) provides a focus on academic enrichment, socialization, independent living skills, including self-advocacy, and integrated work experiences and career skills that lead to gainful employment, 4) integrates person-centered planning in the development of the course of study for each student with an intellectual disability participating in the model program, 5) participates with the coordinating center established under section 777(b) of the Higher Education Act, as amended, in the evaluation of the model program, 6) partners with one or more local education agencies to support students with intellectual disabilities participating in the model program who are still eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 7) plans for the sustainability of the model program after the end of the grant period, and 8) creates and offers a meaningful credential for student with intellectual disabilities upon the completion of the model program. Grantees under this program must provide, from non-Federal funds, a matching contribution equal to at least 25 percent of the cost of the project.
The Coordinating Center will provide recommendations related to the development of standards, provide technical assistance and evaluations for model demonstration programs. The center will assist in the development, evaluation, funding, outreach, and continuous improvement of model transition programs. There is no matching requirement for the Coordinating Center.
Required Documentation
Each IHE or consortia of IHEs desiring a grant under this program shall submit an application to the Department at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the Department may reasonably require.
Matching Requirements
Grantees must provide matching funds for model transition programs, in cash or in kind, of at least 25 percent of the cost of the grant. The Coordinating Center is not required to provide matching funds.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements